CHENNAI: She overcame all odds to emerge winner and be crowned Masterchef India. After different episodes of blanching, baking, glazing and frying, Pankaj Bhadouria is now a celebrity chef who has cooked her way to the top. The chef, who was in Chennai recently to judge a culinary competition, shared the recipe of one of the popular south Indian dishes - Uttapam- which she plated up like small pizzas for her kids.A teacher by profession, Pankaj opted to quit her job to pursue her passion- cooking- and serve up an interesting fusion of dishes. She says, “When I entered Masterchef kitchen, I had a feeling that I would win it, I don’t know. I just wanted to make sure I gave myself every chance of being the winner. Ask the 39-year-old if her finale dish was one of her best, and she quickly says, “Well, Drunk Chicken Log, Cheesy Dill Salmon (which she made during the finale) were definitely my best dishes. However, Cranberry Cheese Blossom was liked better by the judges.”For her, the delicacies are those with Indian packaging and cosmopolitan content. That could describe Pankaj herself, someone who grew up in that characteristic bubble of Indian culture, but in different places- Delhi and Lucknow. She lived in Delhi as a child before moving to Lucknow after her father’s demise. Having travelled the world after winning the Masterchef title, Pankaj has attended numerous culinary events, been a brand ambassador for many prestigious brands and even given cooking lessons at the Cambridge University.“The highlight of winning the Masterchef crown was that I got an opportunity to make a presentation on how South-Asian food can be healthy, easy to prepare and delicious,” she says. She cooked a mixed menu of delicacies to cut down on extra calories and yet be delicious. “For instance, I cooked the butter chicken minus butter and it tasted the same. I made seven dishes with my own take on traditional recipes,” she says. For someone like Bhadouria, who has served as a teacher for nearly 16 years, starting up an institute is no surprise. The next in her line of activities is a culinary institute in Lucknow.Her first book, which was released in November was, however, majorly dedicated to small-town housewives who loves to cook exotic food for their family. Now, with her second book that will be published soon, Pankaj has spoken about her life after Masterchef and has introduced a few new recipes into this delicious fusion of Indian ingredients.Without saying, Pankaj’s quest for culinary delights earned her the crown of Masterchef India. What’s more? Panjak is also hosting cookery show - Chef Pankaj Ka Zayka on Star Plus.The chef, who is currently doing a research on Awadhi cuisine, reveals her signature dish. “It keeps changing I should say. For now, it’s Galouti tarts and Caramel Phirnee. It has become a favourite among many.”
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